PRiSM: Teaching
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching
PRiSM is fully integrated into the RNCM’s undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.
We welcome students interested in interdisciplinary research to undertake their Major or Minor Dissertation projects at PRiSM, and to work with us through professional placement opportunities within the RNCM curriculum.
Within the School of Composition, we regularly curate special projects, enabling student composers to explore a wide range of technology-focused areas, including sound synthesis, physical computing, and interactive media. We also offer a series of bespoke electives to support both composers and performers in developing and applying innovative research methods across music, science, and technology. These include:
Music, Media and Technology: Introduction to Music and Computing (UG)
Led by Dr Sam Salem (PRiSM Lecturer in Composition), this elective explores the relationship between music-making and computing, focusing on core programming concepts from the perspectives of composition and performance.
The primary tool for the course is Processing, an open-source programming language and development environment widely used by visual artists and designers. Students will also explore sound synthesis using applications such as Max, alongside more advanced topics including the design of novel human–computer interfaces, generative algorithms, and principles of randomness and emergence.
Students undertake an independent research project in the form of an original Processing sketch, incorporating techniques and ideas developed throughout the course. No prior programming experience is required.
Topics include:
- Basic syntax and programming concepts
- Two-dimensional coordinate systems
- Basic sound synthesis and sample playback
- Data visualisation and sonification
- Advanced sound synthesis and sample playback
- MIDI/audio input, and camera and video tracking
School of Composition Principal Study Elective: Collaboration with a Scientist (UG)
Led by Professor Emily Howard (Director PRiSM and Professor in Composition), this Principal Study Elective encourages RNCM composition students to work with scientists through PRiSM, to observe how scientific research is conducted, and to create new musical work informed by scientific ideas, curiosity, and methods.
The project serves to consider the potential impact of two (perhaps) unrelated disciplines on each other.
For example, this module has previously run in partnership with the Global Development Institute, University of Manchester enabling student composers to enter the conversation with scientists dedicated to addressing global inequalities, climate change, big data, and social and political injustice.
Research Methods in PRiSM (PG)
There are ongoing opportunities for students to collaborate with our artists and scientists alongside leading national and international organisations, such as Contemporary Music for All (CoMA), Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), and Drake Music.
Doctoral and Postdoctoral Research at PRiSM
An integral part of the RNCM’s vibrant research culture, PRiSM offers a dynamic and versatile environment for early career researchers and practitioners. Work spans four core research strands: Music and Maths, Music and AI, Music and Wellbeing, and Music and Environment.
We currently support a diverse portfolio of practice-based doctoral projects, exploring areas such as music, disability, and technological accessibility; collaborative creative practices; music and dynamical systems; and the role of composition in interrogating socio-political structures.
To find out more about doctoral study at the RNCM in association with PRiSM, please visit the Doctoral Programmes page.
ML4M Working Group
ML4M (Machine Learning for Music Working Group) is an interdisciplinary community of artists, scientists and engineers exploring the creative use of emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in music.
Bringing together postgraduate researchers from RNCM and the University of Manchester, alongside Manchester-based guest artists, the Group fosters collaboration between composers, musicians, computer scientists and audiovisual artists.
ML4M is a joint initiative between PRiSM (the Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music at RNCM) and the NOVARS Research Centre at the University of Manchester. Participants meet regularly to share ideas and collaborate on new artistic research projects.
The Group is led by Dr Sam Salem (PRiSM) and Professor Ricardo Climent (NOVARS), with additional support from Machine Learning experts at Alliance Manchester Business School and PRiSM/RNCM.
Since 2021, ML4M has curated UNSUPERVISED, its annual Manchester-based festival showcasing new work emerging from the group’s activity.
To find out more or get involved, visit the ML4M website or contact Dr Sam Salem.